Sunnies not too cool for south-west schools

SUNGLASSES could no longer be 'too cool for school' following a push for students to start sporting shades as part of their uniform.

Shadow Education Minister of Education Bruce Flegg and Queensland Teacher's Union president Kevin Bates told The Satellite they would both back calls for sunglasses to be considered in local-school attire.

"Sunglasses shouldn't be made mandatory but all schools should consider giving parents and students the option," Mr Flegg said.

"As a doctor there is merit from protecting eyes from UV light but a mandatory move would involve considerable cost."

Mr Bates agreed, saying sunglasses could be a logical extension of the Queensland Government's current SunSmart policy.

"There would be some issues though such as cost. We wouldn't want children wearing cheap $2 sunglasses," he said.

Forest Lake mother Cheryal Pates believed sunglasses should be made a compulsory addition to the school uniform.

She encourages her son TJ, who has a neuromigrational disorder, to wear sunglasses whenever he steps outdoors.

"The sun causes more harm now than it did when I was going to school," Ms Pates said.

"All schools should be encouraging children to protect their eyes by wearing sunglasses.

"Yes, it may be more expensive but you can't put a price on your children's eye sight.

School-wear maker Stubbies surveyed 983 Australian parents and found whilst 84% of parents believed UV rays were as harmful on eyes as they were on the skin, only 7% actually purchased sunglasses as part of their child's uniform.

A Stubbies spokeswoman said while it would be hard to find an adult without sunnies in summer, kids squinting through the summer sun was far too common.

"UV levels across Australia are in the high or extreme range, peaking from 10am to 3pm," she said.

These are times that primary aged children are at recess, lunch and sport and sun protection is critical."